Seattle Reign FC add Mexican National Team powerhouse to their front line

Created on Jul 01, 2013 3:43 PM EST

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Mexican Women's National Team forward Renae Cuéllar will help to reshape Seattle's attack as the tail end of the season kicks into high gear.

Cuéllar is one of the leading scorers in the NWSL, boasting 5 goals in 11 games for FC Kansas City. The 23 year old Mexican-American represented Mexico at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Germany in 2010, scoring one goal in Mexico's 3-3 draw against Japan. She also netted the game winner in the second half of Mexico's 1-0 victory over England.

In college and prior to joining FC Kansas City, Cuéllar was named the 2012 Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Year, making Oklahoma University soccer history. She led the Sooners with 26 points from 12 goals, which ranks as the third-most in a single season in Oklahoma history.

Seattle has been in dire need of some new blood to their front line, and Cuéllar will hopefully be the solution to Reign FC's struggle to finish and score goals.

In a press release this afternoon, Head Coach Laura Harvey was quoted saying “Renae is a special player that we believe is capable of delivering goals. She has demonstrated that she can consistently score in this league, so for a team that has struggled getting goals throughout the season, we think she’ll be a massive addition to the squad.”

Pending league approval, Cuéllar will be available for selection in Seattle’s match this Wednesday against the Boston Breakers on Wednesday, July 3 at 7 p.m. on the Moda Health Pitch at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash.

Trade Details:

In addition to acquiring Cuéllar, separate trades with FC Kansas City and the Washington Spirit will give Seattle picks in the second and third rounds of the 2014 NWSL College Draft.

In a transaction with the Washington Spirit, Reign FC traded Lindsay Taylor and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2014 college draft in exchange for Washington’s second-round pick in the 2014 college draft.

In the second transaction, Seattle traded midfielder Teresa Noyola, Seattle’s second- round pick in the 2014 college draft and the rights to unsigned defender Nikki Krzysik to FC Kansas City for forward Renae Cuéllar and FC Kansas City’s third-round pick in the 2014 college draft.

Additional notes courtesy of Reign FC:

- Nikki Krzysik was selected by Reign FC in the first round of the NWSL supplemental draft. Krzysik elected not to play in the league in 2013, but Seattle retained her rights for the 2014 season.

- Seattle acquired Chicago’s fourth-round pick in the 2014 college draft in the pre- season trade with Chicago for Keelin Winters.

- Teresa Noyola is a Mexican international; she was allocated to Reign FC prior to the start of the 2013 season.